While a reversible "Type-A" USB connector may not meet the specifications of a certified USB cable, Apple has nevertheless shown interest in building one, a newly published patent application reveals.

The concept is detailed in a filing made with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that was published on Thursday and discovered by AppleInsider. Entitled "Reversible USB Connector with Compliant Member to Spread Stress and Increase Contact Normal Force," it describes a standard-size USB "Type-A" male plug that could be inserted in either direction.

The filing is noteworthy because it comes as a number of new Lightning cables have appeared online, showing a reversible USB connector. This has sparked hopes that Apple might be planning to release such an accessory.

However, such cables would not be complaint with the official USB specifications --?a move that might give Apple pause. And considering that reversible, non-sanctioned USB plugs have been around for years, it's possible that the leaked Lightning cables appearing online were made by third-party manufacturers and not Apple.

Still, Apple has clearly shown internal interest in simplifying USB cables, as evidenced by the new patent application. The filing describes a USB Type-A plug that is "180-degree symmetrical" with a "double orientation design."

Apple notes that existing USB plug connectors include an insertion opening with features that prevent it from being plugged into a port the wrong way. But it states that it can be difficult for users to determine the correct orientation, even with appropriate markings indicating which side should be facing upward.

"Users may incorrectly insert a plug connector into a corresponding receptacle connector, which may potentially result in damage to the connectors and/or user frustration," the filing states.

Apple says its own design could "reduce the potential for USB connector damage and user frustration" by allowing a cable to be plugged into a socket in either of two orientations. The concept also states that Apple could include structural support that would distribute stress, ensuring durability of the cable.

Reversibility was one of the key design decisions behind Apple's proprietary Lightning connection, which debuted in 2012 on the iPhone 5. It replaced the company's 30-pin connection design, which, like sanctioned USB Type-A, could only be plugged into a socket in one direction.

The USB Compliance Committee does have a new forthcoming connector -- USB Type-C -- that will be reversible. But the new, smaller connector features an entirely new form factor, and is not the standard Type-A connector shown in Apple's patent application or the recent cable leaks.

The specifications for USB Type-C do not specify which type of plug must be on each end of a cable. That means that authorized Type-C to Type-C cables, or even Type-C to Lightning connectors, could become a reality, setting the stage for the USB Type-A plug to begin to fade away.

Apple's reversible Type-A USB connector patent, made public on Thursday, was first filed with the USPTO in February of this year. The proposed invention is credited to Warren Z. Jones, Eric T. Soohoo, Albert J. Golko, and Stephen Brian Lynch.

Come to think of it, the only times I've had confusion or issues plugging in USB A connectors have been using non-Apple cables on PCs. Cables do have a mark indicating "up" but on PCs, especially ones where USB ports don't face "up" because the PC is on its side, quite a lot of trial and error is required. Especially ports on the back. And I've owned PCs with front ports that were upside down. MacBooks have an obvious "face up" with respect to the orientation of the laptop (plug in cables logo side up).

What's always annoyed me was the existence of Type B (for my printers), Mini-A (For PS3 controller and PSP), Mini-B, Micro-A, and Micro-B (for my Kindle and iPad keyboard). Consumers had to be pretty savvy to shop for cables, and the Micro A and B ends look very similar.

Figures 18 and 19 in the patent are interesting, because they show structures at the base of the "tongue" in the middle of the connector that let it deflect all the way to the top or bottom of the housing, as needed. And they do this spreading the stress appropriately, so the connector can last a long time. The only drawback that I see is that it's confusing to have some USB connectors that you need to carefully orient, and some that look pretty much the same that you don't.

Is there no SHAME in how people copy Apple's intellectual property????

I assume you are being sarcastic? If not just know that Trip Lite had this item on the market in January, BEFORE the Apple patent. Anything that Trip Lite did before the patent they are allowed to continue doing, those parts of Apples patent would be invalid. If Trip Lite did not patent the item, anyone can make it with the features of Trip Lites original model.

I assume you are being sarcastic? If not just know that Trip Lite had this item on the market in January, BEFORE the Apple patent. Anything that Trip Lite did before the patent they are allowed to continue doing, those parts of Apples patent would be invalid. If Trip Lite did not patent the item, anyone can make it with the features of Trip Lites original model.

That's not how patents work anymore. "First inventor to file" is what matters.

Sure it is. First to file precedes work done in private, meaning if TrippLite worked on it but did not tell anyone before the Apple patent they would indeed lose to Apple. Publishing work, in any format publicly, invalidates the patent. Selling the cable publicly is an example of this. If they had a pile of them in the warehouse but never showed or sold them, they would also lose.

TrippLite does not get a patent if they did not file for one, but in this case the idea would be available for anyone to use.

Patents - it's not what it does (reversible USB connection), it's how it does it (hence the ridiculously obfuscated and complex language used to talk about everyday things).Edited by stuffe - 8/21/14 at 9:51am

A reversible USD sounds good, but a FATTER usb does not, and I cannot believe that Apple would ever go for that. If the form factor needs to change (obviously does), why not design something much smaller similar to the the lightning plug?

Ah No. did you look at their patent and connector? Its completely closed on all sides. Not the same form factor as Apples and doesn't provide the same stress relief. While They may have a patent for one type of Type A reversible USB male connector, Apple's is done a totally different way.

A reversible USD sounds good, but a FATTER usb does not, and I cannot believe that Apple would ever go for that. If the form factor needs to change (obviously does), why not design something much smaller similar to the the lightning plug?

That's what Type C is supposed to be: smaller, the same on both ends, and reversible. It's supposed to replace all USB types before it, not that we won't have C-to-legacy adapters for several transitional years.

Ah No. did you look at their patent and connector? Its completely closed on all sides. Not the same form factor as Apples and doesn't provide the same stress relief. While They may have a patent for one type of Type A reversible USB male connector, Apple's is done a totally different way.

I think the diagram included is of the 'exploded' type, and still has a complete enclosure as per the photo. But I agree, as per my first post, it's not the fact that it's reversible that is patentable, it's how they implement it, and Apples abstract makes a lot of noise on that front to differentiate from this (and likely other) existing patents.

A reversible USD sounds good, but a FATTER usb does not, and I cannot believe that Apple would ever go for that. If the form factor needs to change (obviously does), why not design something much smaller similar to the the lightning plug?

This is the connector that plugs into the ports currently found on computers, not your iPhone. I have not seen any indication that Apple plans to replace all USB ports on their Macs with Lightning.

Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton
That's what Type C is supposed to be: smaller, the same on both ends, and reversible. It's supposed to replace all USB types before it, not that we won't have C-to-legacy adapters for several transitional years.

That sounds OK to me. I was just judging by the photo in which a fatter reversible plug is shown. It would make sense to have all data plugs standardized. Imagine a world were the lightning plug reigned supreme? The cost would obviously come right down and we'd never be on our hands and knees rummaging through the bottom drawer of our filing cabinets.

This is the connector that plugs into the ports currently found on computers, not your iPhone. I have not seen any indication that Apple plans to replace all USB ports on their Macs with Lightning.

I realize that, but for Apple to design or sanction a fatter USB plug makes little sense. The MBA has two USB's and a larger plug means less internal space, and less room for overall design optimization.

From what we've seen of this reversible cable it has a big flappy tongue on the inside. I'm sure Apple will ship something that's the best they can make it, but whichever way you look at it a big flappy tongue isn't as simple or elegant as the Lightning connector's small form factor and single piece design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorin Schultz

To be clear, we're talking about the clusterhump of a connector shown in this article, right? I have serious doubts about Apple ever supplying those. Much more likely they will choose to use the new Type-C connector that both solves the issue AND allows them to stick with an "official" and "sanctioned" design.

Now that we see this is an Apple patent, these people are likely to change their story to say how elegant and sophisticated Apple's reversible USB connector is.

I realize that, but for Apple to design or sanction a fatter USB plug makes little sense. The MBA has two USB's and a larger plug means less internal space, and less room for overall design optimization.

Unless I'm mistaken, the idea is that this reversible connector is compatible with existing USB ports on computers, though it may not look like that in the picture. Here is a YouTube video of the Tripplite reversible USB cable being inserted both ways:

Now that we see this is an Apple patent, these people are likely to change their story to say how elegant and sophisticated Apple's reversible USB connector is.

Huh? I was aware it was an Apple patent when I posted that.

EDIT: Actually no, that's not true, I'm getting my timeline mixed up; I wasn't aware there was a patent involved. But I was aware of the story that Apple were interested in the concept and might be releasing a cable.

I think I'm pretty clear that I think the concept of the cable has its limitations in terms of elegance and simplicity, but Apple will do what they can.

They still wouldn't be able to assert it against something seen in public prior to their filing. Beyond that how do you know Tripplite didn't file one? They have been making various electronic stuff for a very long time. I think I have a couple of their power strips.

If Type-C takes off, the lifespan for a reversible A might be short, a few years?

And I think Apple would be quick to use the new Type-C because of the small size. Since the change from MagSafe to MagSafe 2 I think the USB Type-A port is not the thickest port on a Mac, followed closely by HDMI, but I think even that has a mini-HDMI port interface that would work for 4K video.

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Unless I'm mistaken, the idea is that this reversible connector is compatible with existing USB ports on computers, though it may not look like that in the picture. Here is a YouTube video of the Tripplite reversible USB cable being inserted both ways:

And the MBA has a USB on each side of the laptop, not next to each other.

OK, I thought the whole thing (female and male connector) had to be reworked. The reversible plug in the video is a good idea, though personally I don't suffer too much with USB pluggability. And yeah, I own a MBA so I know how the plugs are configured (must have been unclear above).

I've never actually owned a single eSATA device, so I wish I'd just left the shipping cap on it.

I have a couple devices with eSATA ports, but they also have other ports. One is an external RAID of which I'm currently utilizing its FW400 port (long story). The other is an external HDD which uses the eSATA port but the cable it comes with is eSATA-to-USB 3.0, which works well for speed. The later also has a USB 3.0 port which makes it a somewhat pointless.

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